Joel Swanson

Joel Swanson works with high-functioning leaders who are tired of pretending that everything is fine.

He has run and consulted for dozens of organizations, and since becoming an EOS Implementer in 2014 has led hundreds of sessions for both for-profit and nonprofit teams. His clients range from tech startups to multi-million-dollar institutions with hundreds of employees.

He has helped deeply fractured leadership teams regain trust, guided companies through founder transitions, and helped prepare organizations for high-stakes mergers.

Clients often describe Joel as "part of the team," particularly in moments when honest conversation is required to move forward, and the real problems aren't on the agenda. He is known for quickly understanding how an organization actually operates – not how it's supposed to operate – and for creating an environment where leaders can address issues they have been avoiding for years.

Underlying his work is what Joel calls the "so that" – the belief that organizations don't exist merely to succeed, but to create the conditions where impact can multiply. When a team gains clarity and discipline, it's not just so they can execute better – it's so that leaders and teams have the margin to invest in others and extend their impact beyond themselves.

A lifelong learner, he has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's Degree in Theology (he says of himself "I have a bad habit of getting degrees that I don't use."). He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and three kids, and enjoys mountain biking and reading in his free time.